Garnet Allen

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Mar 16, 2019 at 4:34 PM

Garnet Allen, born 11/1/1923, of 340 Surgoinsville Creek Road, attained her highest achievement award as she entered into eternal rest and was received by her “Master” and all her loved ones who had preceded her in death.

She spent her life in a quest for knowledge and her greatest passion was in that of learning and being an educator. She was very proud to have received her education in Surgoinsville Elementary and Surgoinsville High School. Her continued thirst for learning led her next to enrolling in E.T.S.U and receiving a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Education. Garnet began her teaching in The Maxwell Academy. Here there were two rooms, two teachers, and just like on Little House on The Prairie, the students carried in the firewood to keep the school house warm. Garnet, later taught the third grade in Surgoinsville Elementary School and continued her teaching career for a total of 40 years, retiring in 1983.

At the tender age of 13, she gave her heart and life to Christ, to become a servant to Him and a student of Christ for the rest of her life. This decision began her service to Christ and her quest to now having received from her “Master”, her God earned "Master's Degree".

Garnet was preceded in death by her late father Albert Allen, her mother Libbie Fields Allen, sisters Sidney Miller and Naomi Allen, and brother Dale Allen and sister-in-law Carrie Lee Allen.

Garnet resided in Hawkins County her entire life. The Allen home place was built by her father with $400.00 of building supplies and was built by her father's own hands with great love. The home furnishings were even built by her Father's gifted hands, not with modern tools that are afforded to man today. The hand-made furniture remains today as strong as the day they were built.

Garnet attended the Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church and there she considered every member of the church as an extended part of her family. She served the church on several committees. She served as a Sunday school teacher in stewardship to the church and she also served as the Secretary of the church Sunday school. These services were coveted positions, highly regarded in her heart. She loved serving her community and the Lord. Garnet was a local missionary in her community. For the last 20 years alone, she provided food, clothing, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to many members in her community.

Garnet was always looking to minister in her community. She was loved by everyone in her community and she loved everyone. She especially loved to visit her neighbors. She lived her life as a walking Bible to be a living testimony for all others to read. A virtuous woman she was, and highly respected her entire life. She loved to garden and make homemade quilts with her sisters and mother. Garnet, her mother and sister were well known in the community for keeping an immaculate and beautifully groomed yard. They, each, took such great pride in their yard and home. They even spent days painting their long, chain-link fence by hand when the fence began to rust.

Garnet's survivors include niece Libbie Jester, husband Charlie Jester, niece Lisa Chase, husband Dan Chase, great nephews Jacob Jester, Adam Chase, Miles Chase and wife Mary; and great niece Shannon Jester Thieken, husband Max Thieken and their son Bo (great great nephew). Other survivors are Jerry and Shirley Bledsoe where she shared the last of her remaining years residing in their home, sharing love and friendship as extended family. The bond between Garnet, Shirley, and Jerry was a revered and deeply treasured friendship which was permanently cemented by God’s love. Additional special friends include Judy Brice, Virginia Gibbs, Myrlie Cradic,Karen Farley and Mary Berry

Garnet's presence in this world has made the world a better, much sweeter place. Psalms 116:15 says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Now, surely, Heaven is a much sweeter place. The "Master's Plan" is salvation and the gift of Eternal Life. Garnet has now received her "Master's Degree." 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." One of Garnet’s favorite phrases was “God called, I answered.” Now it can be said God has called and Garnet has answered.

Services will be officiated by Rev. Caleb Frazier, Pastor of Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church.

Ministry in song will be provided by Carl Seaver and the Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church Choir.

Eulogy will be provided by best friend Shirley Bledsoe.

Pallbearers will be:

1. Dan Chase

2. Charlie Jester

3. Jacob Jester

4. Miles Chase

5. Adam Chase

6. Jerry Bledsoe

7. Michael Dawson

Honorary Pallbearers: All students previously taught by Garnet Allen.

Visitation hours will be from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 18, 2019 at Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville.

Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Caleb Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.